Wis. Assembly Leader Vows to Pass Anti-union Bill

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald says the Republican-led chamber will pass a bill cutting collective bargaining rights for most public employees despite noisy protests inside the Capitol that have gone on for a week.

Fitzgerald said Republicans were elected to lead the Assembly in November to make deep cuts to state spending, and they will deliver on that pledge. He said lawmakers were getting support from constituents in their home districts and around the nation and are determined to make a reform that he said would keep the state's budget in check for years.

Fitzgerald spoke at a news conference in front of dozens of his colleagues before they came to the Assembly floor to begin Tuesday's session.